A man who stabbed his flatmate after he accused him of stealing some cash he kept at home today was fined €690. He was also given a three-month conditional discharge.

Libyan national Andou Hassan Issan pleaded guilty to the charges brought against him, saying he wanted to leave Malta and go to Italy for medication. 

The court heard how Mr Issan, 37, stabbed Mohammed El Teeb Amer, a 29-year-old Palestinian, when the two argued over cash Mr Amer had found missing from their Birzebbuga apartment. 

Mr Amer, a plasterer, who was further charged with attempting to seriously injure his flatmate and with relapsing, is undergoing separate criminal proceedings. 

Magistrate Micallef Trigona fined him €690 for possession of an unlicensed sharp and pointed instrument and conditionally discharged him over the rest of the charges. 

Inspector Chantelle Casha prosecuted.